New UiB Flagship

A generous contribution by the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Foundation has made it possible to establish a new, state-of-the-art research centre for deep sea research at the University of Bergen (UiB).

The new centre will build on and expand some of the developments begun at the Centre for Geobiology (CGB), a Research Council of Norway’s Centre of Excellence at UiB (2007-2017):

Further investigate some of the promising research directions begun at CGB

Expand the successful model for integrating basic and applied research

Bolster the training of interdisciplinary geobiology researchers by continuing to develop a geobiology curriculum

CGB exits but competency remains

It will ensure CGB’s legacy and form an integral part of its exit strategy. However, the new centre will move beyond CGB in terms of scope and sustainability. It will be a flagship for UiB and a cornerstone in the plans for Ocean City Bergen – an integrated cluster for ocean-related education, research and innovation.

Importance of deep sea research for Norway

Much of Norway’s territory is actually marine – and much of that is poorly explored deep sea. Better understanding of these regions is critical for meeting Norway’s future needs in the “blue” and “bio” economies of the future and for ensuring a leadership role for Norway internationally. Without more knowledge Norwegian leaders and stakeholders cannot make informed decisions about sustainable exploration and exploitation of deep sea resources.